EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith expressed no regret about going for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 29-yard line with just under five minutes remaining in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the New York Giants.
The Falcons had three timeouts and trailed by a touchdown at 27-20, but obviously did not trust the defense to hold up. A pass play was called out of the shotgun, and quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked for a 9-yard loss as left guard Harland Gunn -- one of three new starters along the offensive line -- gave up pressure to Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.
"We had talked all through the week that if that came up in the ballgame that we would go for it," Smith said. "Felt like we had a good play. We didn't execute it. To me, it was a very makeable fourth down.
"In this position, you make decisions and you can't have regrets. You make those decisions and those are the decisions that you think are the best for you and your football team to win the ballgame. And that was the thing that I felt like was going to give us the best opportunity to win the game. We needed to convert and go down and score a touchdown."
Antone Smith was the lone running back in the game and was used to block on the play. Power back Steven Jackson was on the sideline. Julio Jones was the lone receiver out wide right, and Roddy White, Devin Hester and Levine Toilolo were bunched on the left side as Hester came in motion to move into the slot. White indicated the play was intended for Hester, as Toilolo appeared to set a pick. But Ryan had no time to really deliver the ball as Hankins brought the pressure up the middle and got the sack.
"Yeah, I mean, I thought we had an opportunity to convert; still in the game at that point," Ryan said. "And you know, it just didn't work out. Obviously we didn't get the job done collectively. Disappointing. Felt like we had a chance to get it done and just came up short."
